WILSON, JAMES

(1835-1920), American legislator; born Ayres hire, Scotland. He came to the United States at the age of sixteen and became a resident of Iowa in 1855. He ‘was educated at Iowa College, and in 1861 was sent from his farm to the State Legislature, where he served for three terms. He was a member of Congre (1873-77), served as State Railway Commi ioner (1877-83) and in the latter year was again elected to Congre . From 1890 to 1897 he was profe or of agriculture at the Iowa Agricultural College. In 1897 he was appointed Secretary of Agriculture by President McKinley, and retained that post for sixteen years under Presidents McKinley, Roosevelt and Taft. His work in that department was notable and has added materially to the national prosperity.